Service for the 3rd Sunday in Lent

                                                   March 15, 2009   10:30 a.m.

 

                                                  GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

OPENING SENTENCES                                                                                on Psalm 19:1-2

 

The heavens are telling the glory of God;

     and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. 

                        In our days and nights God speaks.

 

                                      We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace                     D. Wagner

                                                                 St. Clement                                               Lee Afdahl

 

WELCOME, REGISTRATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

     Minute for Child Care                                                                                     Hope Boring

 

CHORAL INTROIT & LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                        from Call to Worship 42.1

 

            God invites us to see the presence of the Holy in all the earth.

            God calls us to find sacred signposts in our own lives. God tells us:

                 In my foolishness, find your wisdom. In my weakness, find your strength.

            God tells us:

                 In my laws, find freedom. In my anger, find justice.

            God tells us:

                 In dying, find life. In endings, find new beginnings.

 

*PROCESSIONAL HYMN # 84                                              In the Cross of Christ I Glory

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE on Exodus 17                              from Call to Worship 42.1

 

               Holy God, you give your people commandments

            so that we learn to live together with one another and with you.

            Instead of living by commands, we argue about them.

            Sometimes we make idols of them,

            sometimes consider them lovely though quaint.

 

            In mercy, forgive us.

            Write your law on our hearts, that we live loving you with all,

            and loving neighbors as ourselves.

                                      (time for silent, personal confession)   Amen.

 

*RESPONSE # 572                                                                       Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE

               While God expects of us obedience,

            God’s ways are mercy, and relationships restored in forgiveness.

                 Thanks be to God for forgiveness in the cross of Christ.

 

            The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

     Peace be with you.

                       (worshipers greet each other with words and gestures of peace)

 

                                                  PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                                         Exodus 20: 1-17 (NRSV)

                                                                                            Pew Bible Old Testament Pg. 63-64

 

ANTHEM                   We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace        Spiritual/M. Hogan

 

MOMENT WITH THE YOUNG

 

GOSPEL LESSON                                                                                John 2: 13-22 (NRSV)

                                                                                                Pew Bible New Testament Pg.87

 

SERMON                                                                              “3 minute eggs & 3-day temples”

 

                                                         RESPOND TO GOD

 

OFFERING OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

            Call to Respond

               OFFERTORY                  Jesus, Savior, Crucified                   G. Grier & L. Everson

 

PRAYERS DEDICATING OURSELVES ASKING & THANKING GOD

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER (traditional)                                             Hymnal Pg. 16

 

                                                        GO TO SERVE GOD

 

*HYMN # 92                                                                                  Beneath the Cross of Jesus

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

CHORAL RESPONSE

 

POSTLUDE                    Allegro Vivace from “Water Music” Suite                  G. F. Handel

                   (Note that some will be seated and others depart in joy and silence.)

 

                            WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

                                                       WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists

Jan Bundy, William Leety

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Moment with the Young

Hope Boring

Musical Leadership

Overbrook Bells

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth, Organ/Piano